Obituary for Odd Bres
ODD BRES
1958 October 29 – 2022 February 11
It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the sudden passing of our wonderful Odd. Best friend and partner of Barb and much beloved father of Alexander (Marika), Erika (Peter) and William. Friend / Step-dad to Barb’s sons Matthew and Michael (Emily). Big brother to sisters Karin (Mark) and Faye (Lawrence). Loving uncle to Shayne, Devon, Margo and Simon. Odd will also be greatly missed by Barb’s family, mother Joyce, sister Donna (Ken), brothers
Gord (Jacquie) and David (Errin).
Odd made many lifelong friendships over the years and had a special gift for keeping in contact with high school friends and former colleagues.
He will be dearly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
Odd began his life in Norway. His Dutch parents Hendrik and Gonda were living there at the time. They gave him a Norwegian name that was unique in North America. Odd was fond of his country of birth but very proud of his Dutch heritage. Odd and his parents immigrated to Edmonton in 1960. Odd’s sister Karin was born in Canada later that year and sister Faye completed the family in 1963.
Odd was very fond of his aunt and uncle who shared a duplex in Edmonton with the family. The cousins grew up together and shared many adventures. A love of nature and the outdoors began with family camping trips in Alberta and British Columbia. Years later the family built a cabin outside of Edmonton and that is where Odd learned to fell trees at an early age.
A love of science began when Odd was a child after receiving a chemistry set. He also enjoyed taking apart discarded small appliances and electronics to see how they worked. This led to some unexpected results when it was the old TV set. When Odd was in high school, he joined the science club where he met and made lifelong friends. After graduating high school, Odd backpacked in Europe for a year. During this time, he made closer connections with extended family in Holland. Odd studied science at the University of Alberta and completed his undergraduate degree there. He moved to Winnipeg next to study at the University of Manitoba.
Odd met his former wife Val there and together they moved to California to complete their studies. Odd and Val married in California and moved back to Winnipeg to start their family. Alexander was born in 1991, Erika in 1993 and William followed in 1995. Odd loved being a father and spending time with his children. He enjoyed camping and ski trips with them and taught them life skills such as driving stick-shift, changing a tire and cooking. Odd valued education and was proud of his children’s achievements. Most of Odd’s career was at the University of Manitoba and he himself was a lifelong learner.
Odd met Barb at Hillside Beach, Manitoba in 2006. They fit a lifetime of memories in the next 15 years with travel and a shared love of nature. Hillside Beach was a special place to them and Odd and Barb bought a cottage there in 2018. They spent time at the cottage in all seasons with Odd taking many photographs. They enjoyed bird watching, fishing, swimming, star gazing, watching sunsets over Lake Winnipeg and just being together.
A celebration of life for family and close friends will be held on Tuesday, February 22 at 1:00 pm at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. The service will be livestreamed and available at https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/47484
Flowers gratefully declined; donations in Odd’s memory may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
1958 October 29 – 2022 February 11
It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the sudden passing of our wonderful Odd. Best friend and partner of Barb and much beloved father of Alexander (Marika), Erika (Peter) and William. Friend / Step-dad to Barb’s sons Matthew and Michael (Emily). Big brother to sisters Karin (Mark) and Faye (Lawrence). Loving uncle to Shayne, Devon, Margo and Simon. Odd will also be greatly missed by Barb’s family, mother Joyce, sister Donna (Ken), brothers
Gord (Jacquie) and David (Errin).
Odd made many lifelong friendships over the years and had a special gift for keeping in contact with high school friends and former colleagues.
He will be dearly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
Odd began his life in Norway. His Dutch parents Hendrik and Gonda were living there at the time. They gave him a Norwegian name that was unique in North America. Odd was fond of his country of birth but very proud of his Dutch heritage. Odd and his parents immigrated to Edmonton in 1960. Odd’s sister Karin was born in Canada later that year and sister Faye completed the family in 1963.
Odd was very fond of his aunt and uncle who shared a duplex in Edmonton with the family. The cousins grew up together and shared many adventures. A love of nature and the outdoors began with family camping trips in Alberta and British Columbia. Years later the family built a cabin outside of Edmonton and that is where Odd learned to fell trees at an early age.
A love of science began when Odd was a child after receiving a chemistry set. He also enjoyed taking apart discarded small appliances and electronics to see how they worked. This led to some unexpected results when it was the old TV set. When Odd was in high school, he joined the science club where he met and made lifelong friends. After graduating high school, Odd backpacked in Europe for a year. During this time, he made closer connections with extended family in Holland. Odd studied science at the University of Alberta and completed his undergraduate degree there. He moved to Winnipeg next to study at the University of Manitoba.
Odd met his former wife Val there and together they moved to California to complete their studies. Odd and Val married in California and moved back to Winnipeg to start their family. Alexander was born in 1991, Erika in 1993 and William followed in 1995. Odd loved being a father and spending time with his children. He enjoyed camping and ski trips with them and taught them life skills such as driving stick-shift, changing a tire and cooking. Odd valued education and was proud of his children’s achievements. Most of Odd’s career was at the University of Manitoba and he himself was a lifelong learner.
Odd met Barb at Hillside Beach, Manitoba in 2006. They fit a lifetime of memories in the next 15 years with travel and a shared love of nature. Hillside Beach was a special place to them and Odd and Barb bought a cottage there in 2018. They spent time at the cottage in all seasons with Odd taking many photographs. They enjoyed bird watching, fishing, swimming, star gazing, watching sunsets over Lake Winnipeg and just being together.
A celebration of life for family and close friends will be held on Tuesday, February 22 at 1:00 pm at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. The service will be livestreamed and available at https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/47484
Flowers gratefully declined; donations in Odd’s memory may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.